Interoceptive brain network mechanisms of mindfulness-based training in healthy adolescents.
Frontiers in psychology January 1, 2024 Olga Tymofiyeva, Benjamin S Sipes, Tracy Luks et al. 7 citations
A 12-week mindfulness-based intervention (TARA) in healthy adolescents aged 14–18 increased white matter connectivity in interoceptive brain networks, including the right insula and right putamen. These brain changes were linked to improved sleep quality and emotional well-being. The intervention was delivered remotely and showed high feasibility and safety. The TARA group, but not controls, had significantly better sleep quality and increased insula node strength associated with emotional well-being. A white matter interoception network strengthened after TARA. The findings suggest TARA may improve psychological health in adolescents by enhancing structural connectivity in interoceptive regions.